Author: Nights1367 - A new writer and a huge fan of Kurapica! ^-^

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters nor plot that Yoshihiro Togashi has created. I am not writing for profit.

The heavens looked down upon the sole remainder of the Kurta tribe, its stars frowning as fate began to spin its thread. Kurapica and the Phantom Troupe would meet again, and the search for scarlett eyes neared its end, but this time, Neon is in the mix.

Chapter One: Fate's Decision

In the midst of the ever busy York Shin, an individual was inside a dark locked room, leaning against the wall and sitting upright on a simple bed. There was no need for artificial light; strong moonlight rays poured into the room, lighting up all aspects, but managed to conceal the figure's upper face, revealing only one eye.

The figure cursed himself once again after a fresh wave of dizziness and nausea overcame him. Instinctively, Kurapica's hand flew to his mouth, trying to dispel the urge to empty his stomach contents.

Kurapica smiled wryly. But of course, how could his stomach do so? After all, he hadn't eaten for over thirteen hours.

A few minutes passed before Kurapica deemed it safe to remove his hand. A few moments passed of inactivity before Kurapica's mind drifted off, and displayed a scene that took place earlier that day...

[Flashback]

"Kurapica! The enemy is escaping!" A voice shouted. Kurapica's head shot up, then turned to the sound of the voice.

Basho..? Kurapica shooked his head to clear himself, then suddenly remember what he was here to do: capture and identify the people who were sent to assassinate Miss Neon. Whipping his head around, he brought his telescope to his eyes and peered into it.

Main entrance... empty.

Fire exits - all clear

Rooftops...

"They are escaping via helicopters. Current position is the rooftop, seven people, all nen users. Basho, send orders to secure the building and..."

[End of flashback]

His voice had trailed off then, Kurapica thought, clasping his hands over his face. He had forgotten what he was about to say.

His fist clenched

How could this be? Not only was he distracted at the beginning - but later again and this time, his thoughts had been scattered so much that that it was impossible to pick up the relevent pieces. Had it not been for Senritsu... she had probably picked up his heart signals and continued for him.

Kurapica bit his lips, just managing to block out the curse that had almost escaped.

The capture had gone well, but Kurapica had no doubts that his comrades had noticed his hesitation - it would only be a matter of time before they would actually report this to Light Nostrade. It would be a natural thing to do - if a choice was given, no one would choose to work under a commander who had no clear thoughts. But he needed this job - he had to avenge his fallen clan, and so in peace could they rest. If he failed to do so, he will be damned for all eternity, the guilt, the anger and hatred that had been placed upon him on that fateful day - could not, no - would not be washed away.

And so he would live his life for this only purpose.

Suddenly, Kurapica felt a fresh, throbbing pain on his left hand. Turning his head slightly, he realised that he had been clutching the blanket's sheet, probably for some time now. Kurapica winced as he released the grip, and discovered something else. It was bleeding. He had subsciously drew the natural Kuruta power of achieving 100% in all types of Nen - but this power could only be accessed if his eyes glowed bright crimson. The colour of blood.

His vision dimmed. His hand moved by itself, and brushed his fringe away from his face.

Still dimmed

Kurapica blinked, then tried again, then came to a realisation that it was not the cause of his fringe that was shielding light from reaching his eyes. It was just his eyes.

Panic seized Kurapica, as he blinked again and again, and rested his palm against his right eye. Then his left.

Both eyes.

Was he developing cataracts? No - impossible - it could not be. Rational thoughts filled his mind. Cataracts - causes were great exposure to ultraviolet light, genetic, diabetes... Kurapica almost scoffed. Of course - as if he would know whether or not any of his relatives had cataracts?

Or perhaps he suffered an eye injury when he was at a young age...? That was possible, though why would it develop now, after all these years? Though it could be a disease which has only started to take effect now.

He shooked his head, dizziness overwhelming him once again, but this time, Kurapica did not bother to fight it. Just closed his eyes and welcomed the darkness that pulled him under.

Neon Nostrade pouted as she pulled open her huge treasure chest, pratically overflowing with toys and games, her enthusium quickly disippating. Sniffing, she looked up at her maids, sticking out her lower lip.

"There's no fun games to play."

"But Miss - what about the new game you bought a few days ago?" one of the maids suggested, only to receive an over-exaggerated shaking of Neon's head.

"No! That's no fun anymore!" Neon insisted, crossing her arms. "I want something new!" She rummaged through the chest, picking out a particular game, then discarding it by flinging it behind her, yelling all the way.

Basho sighed, irritated, almost wished he could cover his ears to block out the annoying tantrum Neon was currently displaying. He glanced at Senritsu who still had a small smile plastered to her face. After another brief glance around the room, more annoyance added to his irritation.

Where was Kurapica? What luck did he have to not have to suffer from Neon's tantrums? A small gasp came from Senritsu caused him to automatically turned around in a fighting stance, his gaze shifting towards her gaze.

Kurapica.

Basho relaxed his guard, but before he could turn to voice out more irritation to Senritsu for bringing out such a unnecessary reaction, his jaw almost dropped.

"Hey, Kurapica. What's wrong with you?"

Kurapica looked up, his gaze meeting him for only a brief second, then turned away.

"There is nothing wrong with me."

Basho stared at him in disbelief, and spluttered, "but you're so pale, and... you're - you look terrible!"

Senritsu took a small step forward. "Kurapica, you look exhausted. Did you sleep last... night...?" Senritsu watched Kurapica walk past her tersely, and assumed his position across them by the wall. Unsatisfied but before having a chance to reprimand Kurapica, a maid walked up to them, announcing that the guards were here to relieve them of their posts. They could have breakfast. Senritsu nodded and gave the maid a warm smile in which she return.

"Kurapica." Senritsu turned her attention back to the blond hair boy. Without an acknowledging glance, she continued, "The guards have arrived. We can go have breakfast now. Are you going to - "

"No. Thank you."

Senritsu frowned. "But Kurapica - " but was taken aback from his reply.

"I said no."

It was not his actual words that made her nod and leave, no. On the contrary, it was his unspoken words. Even though Kurapica kept his head lowered and avoided eye contact, his heart beat suddenly flared and became irregular, a sign which signaled anger. Uncontrollable anger, which left nothing more to say.

As Senritsu and Basho left, Basho could not help but ask: when did Neon stop wailing?

Kurapica raised his head a moment after Senritsu turned away from him, his scarlett eyes beginning to cool. The headache Kurapica currently held was getting worse, that Kurapica had difficulty resisting placing his hand onto his temples, and moving his eyes hurted.

He watched Miss Neon play a game quietly with her maids.

His stomach had settled since he had woken up, which was a relief. Suddenly, two more maids entered the room, each carrying a tray of food.

Kurapica's stomach churned.

"Excuse me." Kurapica muttered before leaving the room, unaware that Neon looked up. Upon arriving to the restroom inside his room, Kurapica promptly threw up. After cleaning up, Kurapica stayed in his room, irritated. He had dry heaved, meaning that all his stomach contents were gone. Irritated, Kurapica turned to his clock on his desk. It was 8am. He had assumed that Neon had already ate.

Foolish mistake on his part.

In about an hour or so, Miss Neon would have finished. Upon that, he will return.

Senritsu ate in silence with Basho, both silent for different reasons. Whilst Basho was still reminding himself why he took on such a job - which mainly consisted of babysitting a spoilt brat rather than actual fighting - Senritsu was contemplating Kurapica's condition.

Was Kurapica eating and sleeping well? Could this be the same as back then, when -

"Oh."

Senritsu and Basho both turned to the sound of the girlish voice.

Neon.

Neon just pouted and looked around once more. Senritsu offered her a smile.

"Miss Neon, why are you here?" she asked, aware of Basho's disgruntled expression.

"Kurapica left the my room a few minutes ago. Just wondered where he went, is all," Neon answered, shrugging, seemingly unconcerned though her eyes and actions said otherwise. Basho looked up suspiciously, but remained silent.

Senritsu blinked in surprise. "Maybe he is in his room...?" Neon's eyes lit up as she snapped her fingers.

"Oh yes! Okay!" She beamed. "I'm going there now! Bye!" She waved and skipped away.

Basho and Senritsu exchanged glances.

"You just sent a hurricane of headaches to Kurapica." Basho stated, taking a huge bite out of his sandwich. Senritsu just smiled.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not."

Neon peered into the open hallway, where Kurapica's room was a few rooms down. Beside her were her maids and some of her bodyguards, much to her disproval and loud protests. But they had agreed to leave her alone in the room, probably assured that Kurapica would suffice should an attack occur. Distinctly, Neon's mind registered a call ringing from one of her bodyguard's mobile.

Okay, Neon. Let's do this! However, before she could take another step, one of her bodyguards said:

"Miss Neon. Your father has arrived and requested for you to join him in your room."

Neon whipped her head around and glared at him. "No! I don't want to go now! Let me go later," she whined, cursing her luck. She turned back towards Kurapica's room.

"Unfortunately, I must deny your requests, Miss Neon. Your father insists."

Neon pouted, and stormed back.

As she entered the room, Light Nostrade looked up.

"Why were you out of your room?" he demanded.

"Because! It's so boring in here!" Neon complained, slumping into the couch and crossing her arms. Nostrade shooked his head in frustration.

"How many times must I tell you that it is not safe? There's a lot of people that are after revenge, and what else is there to revenge on besides you, seeing that our company is in a mess since..." his voice trailed off, but everyone - even Neon herself - could hear the tone of his voice that was tinted with bitterness at last few words

Silence.

"Nevermind." Light Nostrade shooked his head, suddenly looking tired. "That was not what I wanted to discuss."

The rest of the day was uneventful, though in the day, Kurapica remained restless. When darkness finally welcomed him, he gratefully fell into its grasps.

That night, the heavens looked down upon the sole remainder of the Kurta tribe, its stars frowning as fate began to spin its thread.

Unbeknownst to the now sleeping Kuruta, his heart shifted as the chain began to unravel.

Please review! I'd really, truly appreciate it ^-^ [Updated: 02:33 - 4th December 2011]